Biography

Christopher Wachuku holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a minor in Philosophy from Rutgers University and a Master’s in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences from Drexel University. Prior to medical school he worked in database management and consulting for academic healthcare education software. He became a medical student at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) where he served as both President of the RWJMS Student Governing Association (2020-2021) and President of the RWJMS Class of 2023. He was nominated and nationally selected to attend seminars such as AAMC RISE: Developing Future Leaders in Academic Medicine & Science and the AAMC Learner Summit.

From 2022 – 2023, he attended the University of Pennsylvania as a Research Fellow in Skin of Color Dermatology under the mentorship of Dr. Susan C. Taylor. His areas of interest within dermatology include skin of color, cutaneous oncology, and complex medical dermatology. Outside of dermatology his interests include health communication and leadership. When he isn’t studying, he enjoys keeping physically fit, spontaneous adventures, and traveling to new places.

Fellowship in SOC Accomplishments

Abstract Presentations/Posters

Wachuku C, Wei J, Rosenbach M, Messenger E. Severe Cutaneous Ulcerations Secondary to Xylazine (Tranq): A Case Series. Dermatological Society of New Jersey. April 22nd, 2023. Monroe Township, NJ.

Wachuku C, Wei J, Rosenbach M, Messenger E. Severe Cutaneous Ulcerations Secondary to Xylazine (Tranq): A Case Series. Atlantic Derm Conference. May 12-14th, 2023. Baltimore, MD.

Wachuku C, Seykora J, James W. Characterizing the appearance of the “Inherited Pattern Lentiginosis” Syndrome. 2023 AAD Annual Meeting. March 17-21, 2023. New Orleans, LA.

Wachuku C, Sow Y, Banala M, Taylor, S. Patient Perspectives & Attitudes towards Biopsy for Diagnosis of CCCA. 18th Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium. March 16th, 2023. New Orleans, LA.

Research Publications

Wachuku CI, Barrera T, Jackson T, Sow Y, Mollanazar N, Taylor SC. Upadacitinib as a treatment for chronic pruritus secondary to polycythemia vera after failure with dupilumab. JAAD Case Rep. 2023 Mar 12;35:87-89. doi: 10.1016/j.jdcr.2023.02.024. PMID: 37223110; PMCID: PMC10201202.

Sow Y, Wachuku C, Barrera T, Jackson T, Ayoade KO, Taylor SC, Mollanazar N. Palmar and plantar erythema: An initial presentation of undifferentiated connective tissue disease. JAAD Case Rep. 2023 Mar 24;35:94-97. doi: 10.1016/j.jdcr.2023.03.007. PMID: 37128629; PMCID: PMC10147949.

Wei J, Wachuku C, Berk-Krauss J, Steele KT, Rosenbach M, Messenger E. Severe cutaneous ulcerations secondary to xylazine (tranq): A case series. JAAD Case Rep. 2023 Apr 26;36:89-91. doi: 10.1016/j.jdcr.2023.04.016. PMID: 37274146; PMCID: PMC10232457.

Book Chapters

Wachuku C, Jackson T, Taylor S. Biology of Melanocytes. Taylor & Kelly’s Dermatology for Skin of Color. 3rd edition. McGraw-Hill; 2024.

Sow Y, Wachuku C, Taylor S. Biology of Keratinocytes. Taylor & Kelly’s Dermatology for Skin of Color. 3rd edition. McGraw-Hill; 2024.